As coffee lovers, we often tend to buy coffee beans in bulk. It’s actually a good way to save a few bucks on these expensive beans. But it’s also true that coffee goes stale easily.
Here, in the article, we’ll talk about the various factors that influence the quality of coffee beans over time. We’ll also talk about some strategies you can follow to store these beans for an extended period. But before all that, let’s talk about the shelf life of the whole coffee beans.
How long can coffee last before going bad?
The shelf life of coffee generally depends on the type of coffee you use and the way you store it. Say, for example, you’re using some premium-quality coffee beans and storing them in a fully air-tight container. These beans are likely to last for months, whereas the poorly-kept ones may go stale in a few weeks or sometimes even days.
We all can agree that freshly roasted coffee beans taste the best. The rich and intense flavor is sometimes lacking in the old stock. But you must know that certain types of beans, like the Robusta Coffee beans, are capable of retaining their aroma and flavor for months when kept under proper conditions.
One must also keep in mind to check the day of manufacturing written on the packaging before buying the coffee beans. It’s better to buy freshly roasted ones because once you open the seal, they’ll start oxidizing and might go stale in a few weeks if stored improperly.
What factors affect the shelf life of coffee beans?
Many factors affect the shelf life of coffee beans, but once again, the most important one is how you store them.
It’s essential to keep these beans in air-tight containers if you want them to retain their flavor for a few weeks. Storing in such a container ensures that the beans are away from moisture and they are not getting oxidized by the surrounding air.
Temperature is another factor that plays an essential role in keeping coffee beans fresh. One must ensure that the beans are kept at room temperature or in a moderately cold place. It’s because when stored at a higher temperature, the flavor compounds of the coffee beans start to break down faster. It eventually takes away the rich, delicious taste of the coffee.
The third factor that matters in keeping the beans fresh is their quality. The low-quality or inexpensive coffee beans have slightly higher oil content, which makes the beans oxidize faster. In comparison, the expensive ones stay fresh for an extended period.
But ultimately, everything comes down to proper storage and better grinding practices of the beans to keep them last longer.
How to store the coffee beans to keep them fresh for a long time?
Here are some tips you can follow to extend the shelf life of your coffee beans.
- Keep the coffee beans or the ground coffee away from sunlight in an air-tight container.
- Find a dark and slightly cold place to store the beans if you want them to retain their distinct flavor.
- Put the beans in a sealed container, and keep them in the freezer to store them for 3-4 months. (Note that this method is usually not advised as it might affect the flavor of your beans in the long run. So, only use this tip when you have them in large quantities and don’t have any other way of storing them.)
- Lastly, check the expiration date on the packaging before buying coffee beans. An old stock generally doesn’t brew properly and tastes different from the fresh ones.
Final Verdict
A perfect cup of coffee is a joy for most of us. So, to ensure your coffee beans stay fresh for a good period, it’s essential to take care of the things mentioned above. After all, no one likes to throw their expensive beans once they go stale.
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